RAWALPINDI, Nov 14: Commissioner Imdadullah Bosal on Wednesday expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of construction work on Kotli Sattian Tehsil Headquarters Hospital building and asked the authorities concerned to complete it by November 25.

The Punjab government started the construction of the 60-bed THQ Hospital in 2007 to the tune of Rs140 million, but work has still not been completed.

Construction work started in the tenure of the previous Punjab government led by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, but the current provincial government had stopped the work. However, it released funds during the current fiscal year and set October as the deadline for the completion of the project.

Taking the matter seriously, the commissioner, accompanied by the Executive District Officer (EDO) Health Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal, visited the site and asked the contractor to complete it by November 25 or else face stern action.

Mr Bosal said the provincial government had released funds on time but the slow pace of work had hindered the provision of better health facilities to the local residents. He said the residential colony for the staff, and the hospital building, should be completed by December 15.

Mr Bosal also directed the EDO Health to recruit doctors and paramedical staff for the hospital at the earliest. One medical superintendent, nine specialists, one dental surgeon, five causality medical officers, three women medical officers, five sanitary workers and three peons will be recruited for the hospital.—A Reporter